Drive Me Crazy

From Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy:

It might be a little difficult to believe but the film Drive Me Crazy was actually based on a book called How I Created My Perfect Prom Date by Todd Strasser. Todd Strasser is a very prolific writer in the realm of Middle Grade and Young Adult novels. How I Created My Perfect Prom Date is the 2nd part in what is know as the Time Zone High Trilogy.

Drive Me Crazy, although modestly successful financially as well as critically, holds a special place in one of the hearts of the Soulless Minions. It may not be perfect or incredibly deep but it does succeed in passing up some of the more cliched and formulaic teen films. It’s got heart.

Most of the conversation involves the comparisons between the novel and film. Surprisingly there are some significant differences that I think might surprise some of you. My two guests, John of Sofa Dogs and J.D. of The Delta Quadrant and General Geekery, join me as I fill them in on the similarities and changes in the adaption. But the conversation also includes personal recollections on the film itself.

Is it all nostalgia or does the movie hold up? You’ll have to listen to find out.

From Sofa Dogs:

Observers: John Pavlich, Josh Bradley, Joe “J.D.” Donesi

Record Date: February 23, 2012, 09:03 PM

Plot Summary: A trend-conscious girl hires her anti-social next-door neighbor to be her new boyfriend, in an effort to reclaim her status in their school and to help him win back his ex-girlfriend.

Note: This was recorded months ago and numerous technical difficulties made it such a nightmare to edit, I wasn’t going to bother posting it, originally. Thankfully, Josh had done such a splendid job mixing it himself, I finally decided to put it up here for you all to enjoy. My co-hosts (Josh and J.D.) join me in discussing high school politics, teen social class structures and how the film compares to the book it’s based on. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the movie on your DVD.

Sofa Dogs

Soulless Minions

The adaptation … was done by Rob Thomas, who’s the creator of Veronica Mars. Which is a guilty pleasure of mine. … I love that show. [laughter] Okay, my brother made me feel guilty about it, ’cause he caught me with the DVD. — Soulless Minions and Sofa Dogs,
Drive Me Crazy @0:10:26

In the book, it’s not centennial. That’s movie only. In the book, it’s just the prom. — Soulless Minions and Sofa Dogs,
Drive Me Crazy @0:13:25